THE SHARK IS BROKEN Previews- Page 2

[perfectpenguin]

Posted: 7/27/23 at 6:41am

Any reports from last night? 

[InTheBathroom1]

Posted: 7/27/23 at 9:50am

I was there for first preview on Tuesday and have the same thoughts. Some entertaining moments and great performances (especially from Alex Brightman), but the play is quite aimless and doesn’t really have much to say about anything. Maybe that’s the point of it, but it still can be hard to sit through, especially in the latter half. 

If it weren’t for the famous pedigree, I do not think this play would’ve made it this far. 

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 7/27/23 at 11:04am

Yeah I also thought a lot of the jokes were really forced. “No one will still be talking about this movie in 50 years.” “We’ll never have a more loathsome President than Nixon.”

Ha ha ha, see it’s funny cause they both are untrue statements. Such wit. (And there were a lot of these kinds of jokes.)

The performances were great and I loved the relationship between Shaw & Dreyfuss (it is eerie how much Ian Shaw looks and sounds like his father) but  yeah the play itself didn’t really go anywhere new and I’m really not sure why it’s even a play.

[Whiskers2]

Posted: 7/27/23 at 11:52am

Cape Twirl of Doom said: "Yeah I also thought a lot of the jokes were really forced. “No one will still be talking about this movie in 50 years.” “We’ll never have a more loathsome President than Nixon.”

Ha ha ha, see it’s funny cause they both are untrue statements. Such wit. (And there were a lot of these kinds of jokes.)

The performances were great and I loved the relationship between Shaw & Dreyfuss (it is eerie how much Ian Shaw looks and sounds like his father) but yeah the play itself didn’t really go anywhere new and I’m really not sure why it’s even a play."

 

This sums up my thoughts pretty well. I was interested in the cast and production drama and just kept getting taken out of it by the pandering retcon humor about

 

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climate change, the nixon lines anticipating future presidents, accurate specifics of spielberg's post-jaws career, a future hollywood where everything is sequels and remakes, and on and on..

one can be pretty sure none of that was being discussed on set in the mid 1970s

[Fordham2015]

Posted: 7/27/23 at 12:07pm

These comments remind me of when I saw The Great Society at Arena Stage. At the end of the show, when Nixon met with LBJ in the Oval Office, he said "I'm gonna change this country and make it great again." LBJ replied, "Get the f--k out of my chair."

This exchange was cut (for the better) when the play came to Broadway. It sounds like Ian Shaw's being a little more precious.

[Voter]

Posted: 7/27/23 at 1:01pm

Does anyone know about the FEC filing or capitalization on this show? I'm so curious with only 3 producers it can't be that expensive

[JSquared2]

Posted: 7/27/23 at 1:08pm

Voter said: "Does anyone know about the FEC filing or capitalization on this show? I'm so curious with only 3 producers it can't be that expensive"

 

Why would you assume there are only 3 producers?  There may be 3 people listed as lead producers, but each of those people could have dozens of co-producers/investors.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 7/27/23 at 1:11pm

Voter said: "Does anyone know about the FEC filing or capitalization on this show? I'm so curious with only 3 producers it can't be that expensive"

It’s not expensive. It has a single set unit and a projection scrim. Stage manager is simply doing lighting cues and zero set cues during a performance. Only 3 lead actors with standbys/understudies and zero ensemble and a small backstage crew. Compared to other shows, this one can realistically make their weekly payroll.  

[BuddyStarr]

Posted: 7/27/23 at 1:21pm

Saw this last night.  I agree with the other responses.  The acting is good and while the script and direction is tight.  However, sitting through the play you ask "Why?".  As a whole it doesn't say a lot and is mediocre. If you get discount or free tickets then go.  But I wouldn't pay full price for it.  The theatre was packed.  

If you loved the movie, you'd probably like this play as a "behind the scenes" play of one of the first summer blockbusters.

[hak5]

Posted: 7/27/23 at 1:23pm

Is there merch?

Can someone post a pic of it?

Updated On: 7/27/23 at 01:23 PM

[JSquared2]

Posted: 7/27/23 at 1:25pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "Voter said: "Does anyone know about the FEC filing or capitalization on this show? I'm so curious with only 3 producers it can't be that expensive"

It’s not expensive. It has a single set unit and a projection scrim. Stage manager is simply doing lighting cues and zero set cues during a performance. Only 3 lead actors with standbys/understudies and zero ensemble and a small backstage crew. Compared to other shows, this one can realistically make their weekly payroll."

 

I'd be amazed if if was capitalized for under $6M.

 

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 7/27/23 at 1:32pm

Show has a 3.8 million capitilization

break even weekly cost is somehow $410,000 on this 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 7/27/23 at 1:37pm

hak5 said: "Is there merch?

Can someone post a pic of it?"

[Voter]

Posted: 7/27/23 at 1:58pm

BoringBoredBoard40 said: "Show has a 3.8 million capitilization

break even weekly cost is somehow $410,000 on this"

Thank you!

[Ptero2]

Posted: 7/27/23 at 10:04pm

Well, that was thoroughly okay. Don't regret going but glad I didn't pay much. Brightman was great though.

Updated On: 7/27/23 at 10:04 PM

[RippedMan]

Posted: 7/27/23 at 10:10pm

Is it something that happened! And how is the weekly cost the same as Kimberly Akimbo…

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/27/23 at 11:10pm

This sounds like pretty bad theatre. Does the emperor have no clothes here? 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 7/28/23 at 9:10am

BorisTomashevsky said: "This sounds like pretty bad theatre. Does the emperor have no clothes here?"

It's a limited run so they're fully aware of the niche audience the play has so a long run is unrealistic. Expect the cosplay and frequent attendees and al the obvious nonsense these cult shows have. Alex Brightman has his nerdy fan base that'll probably see the play several times weekly and then the fans of the original JAWS film. Is it riveting high art theater?  Absolutely not. 

[Dom P]

Posted: 7/28/23 at 9:14am

Sounds like a bad summer stock play with a high caliber cast,and a much higher budget than summer stock, and higher ticket prices. 

[JSquared2]

Posted: 7/28/23 at 11:34am

BorisTomashevsky said: "This sounds like pretty bad theatre. Does the emperor have no clothes here?"

Huh?  What emperor are you talking about?

 

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/28/23 at 11:51am

As in, has this play ridden into town with foreign accolades (deserved or not), been received by screaming Jaws fans, while New Yorkers are silently looking around and wondering what all the fuss is about. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 7/28/23 at 12:12pm

Correct, Boris. 

 

[bdn223]

Posted: 7/28/23 at 12:24pm

RippedMan said: "Is it something that happened! And how is the weekly cost the same as Kimberly Akimbo…"

Since when did Kimberly Akimbo cost under $500K a week? Yes I fully acknowledge the apparent $410K and $520K operating costs seem outrageous with what is actually happening on stage, at least Kimberly Akimbo has 9 principal performers and 6 offstage principal understudies. For a 3 person show with a single static set, minimal lighting with no spotlights, no names, street clothes as costumes, how does that add up to $410K a week?!?! Are they spending $100K a week on wigs and make up to cover up Colin's tattoos?

 Shaw, Brightman, and Donnell would have to each be taking home $40K+ a week to even make that $410K even remotely make sense...and from my understanding they are not paying universal any licensing fees, so how does this 3 person show with no big names cost $410K which about what POTUS cost to run last summer, which had a cast of 11 including understudies several of which we actual names?!??

[Jumpin_J]

Posted: 7/29/23 at 12:31pm

BoringBoredBoard40 said: "Show has a 3.8 million capitilization

break even weekly cost is somehow $410,000 on this"

Based on what info? Unless you have serious connections to the show, you don't know what you're talking about. I know the producers. 

 

[perfectpenguin]

Posted: 7/29/23 at 12:54pm

My curiosity got the best of me and I’m seeing it this afternoon. Assuming I get there- Amtrak’s running late as usual.